"Fixing computers" is not simply identifying and swapping out bad parts. The primary source of problems with computers is more often elsewhere (elsewhere being configuration, software, and "between the keyboard and the chair".)
I've developed a stock answer to people who would ask me where I learned all that I have: "Endless years of geeking out." This answer is true. This answer also serves notice to the questioner that acquiring this knowledge has costs. You ain't gonna get it with a semester course at the junior college.
I tolerate a certain amount of calls out of the blue for support from people I know and like. If I don't know you well, don't push it. Money helps. If I ever start doing this on my own as a business, I will charge. The knowledge, the skills and the tools do not come free to me.
The primary tool, far more important than the screwdrivers and volt meters and diagnostic software, is reason.
I have almost completely lost my taste for computer games. They are a good way to ignore your loved ones and piss away the whole rest of your life. Asking me to fix your NASCAR game will likely get you derisive comments. Ditto on endless online activity. I have seen people get divorced over this stuff. Step back and get a life.
Want help? Read this first.
Weeding out the freeloaders: I have been getting an increasing number of emailed requests from total strangers for help. In the past I've responded to these requests without charge. This now changes. If you want the benefit of my experience and skills I'm asking you to send a token ammount of $5 (nonrefundable) to my PayPal account. Then drop me a line. Mention the PayPal payment, and ask your question. No Tickee, No Washee. I'll give you an answer, or I may ask for more information before giving you an answer. If my response enables you to solve your problem, send another $20 to my PayPal account.
When you ask your question, it would be most helpful if you also included information such as 1)what operating system you are running -- do not assume that I know 2)your system's hardware specs, 3)any error messages (exact error messages, please) that you may get, 4)if the problem is a one time problem, intermittant, or continuous, 5)what changed right before the problem started.
As a general prophylactic measure I strongly urge Windows 98 users to first run msconfig, turn off everything except systray and see if their problem persists. See here for a good explaination of the process, and what all that crap! is that you're turning off. I strongly urge Windows users in general to get an antivirus program, keep it current, and use it.
(The breeze you feel is a close swipe with a clue-stick. I answer questions like "Why is my Windows slow?" fifty times a week in my job. What makes you think I want to do this, for free, on my own time, for unknown strangers off the In-ter-net? Freebies are for friends and family.)
For a somewhat less polite take on the freeloader problem, see
here.
The one that does what you need it to do. Examine yourself and your needs. Unless you're a gamer, or do advanced CAD, chances are real good that the latest, greatest, fastest and most expensive is more than you really need (though we'll sell it to you). If you're a gamer, what you really need is some real problems -- come back when you have a life and we'll talk.
Don't buy any piece of hardware with "Win" in it's name. That stuff tends not to work under real operating systems. They're also harder to diagnose than the good stuff. Any money saved in buying one will get eaten up and more the first time you have to have someone look at it.
Spend the extra money and buy a decent modem, keyboard and mouse. These are three items that are usually nasty and cheap in off the shelf PCs, victims of ever-shrinking profit margins on pc sales. US Robotics makes good modems as long as you don't buy the bottom of the line (Winmodem--remember rule #1 above). IBM's classic 101 key "click" keyboard is one of the most durable ever. New they'd cost you real bucks (over $100 the last time I saw one on sale new). I'm not sure they're still made, but they're readily available used. Microsoft and Logitech make good mice. Trackballs and touchpads are an acquired taste. Neither is, in my opinion, as easy or intuitive as a mouse. "Your mileage may vary"--tastes in keyboards and mice are very individual. Nothing is "wrong" if it works for you.
Don't be afraid to dicker to get what you want. Anybody worth dealing with will can handle this.
Pay attention to the warranty--how long it is, who services it, how fast and under what circumstances (on site, carry in, lord help you--mail in or do they just send you the part). If you are going to use this in a business, and it's critical (especially if it's your only computer), this is important.
Floppy disks are not good for much beyond installing software and carrying small files around. They are not adequate for backup. They are reliable enough to keep the only copy of your working data files on. (I've seen this.)
I don't like needlessly complicated systems--they are fragile (I mean, just look at Windows 95|98|ME) and I have to fix them again (unless you want to pay me to do it :-). I don't like systems loaded down with large amounts of worthless bundled software.
Brands? I'm authorized to service Packard Bell (now defunct!) but I really don't like them (more due to experiences dealing with the company as a servicer than any particular shortcomings (though there are some) of the hardware). I currently service Compaq office grade systems--3 year warranty, they tend not to break, and support is good. (Compaq home systems (the Presario line) are less well thought of -- shorter warranty, cheaper parts, too much crappy software.) Every company, even Big Blue makes a dog every once in a while. I prefer no-name clones--they're cheaper to repair once the warranty is up, and they are endlessly customizable.
Support? Write this on your doorpost and bind it on your forehead: You will get no more support than you are willing--one way or another--to pay for. If you want a lot of handholding, you won't get it from the Best Buys of the world. Given the narrow profit margins on computer hardware now (and the likes of Best Buy often sell stuff cheaper than the small computer reseller can buy it), they won't want to do more than cart the boxes out to your car. If you want handholding, buy from a small local dealer. (Be aware, though, that many computer dealers have no real desire to sell to individuals, for just those support cost reasons.)
Or you could hire a consultant (like for instance, me).